Anyone heard Walnut Hull Oak Gall Ink?

[Bianca M]

I bought this ink from a local shop probably a year ago.  The shop owner, who I've come to know fairly well, and is a big fan of calligraphy, didn't know anything about the ink at the time, but I bought it anyway.  I believe I paid $8 for what looks to be 1-1.5 ounces.  Yes, the darling little bottle and label charmed the pants off of me, I confess.

Anyway, what's with this stuff? Does anyone know?  The first photo shows it unshaken in the bottle.  The second shows it in "action"- which is really unexciting.  After it's fully dried, it looks like I wrote this with gritty muddy water and then photocopied it.

But... the hairlines are so delicate!  This is why I need to get my hands on a legit bottle of Iron Gall, isn't it?

Has anyone even heard of this ink by this maker, or have any input here?  My searches have come up inconclusive.  I am wondering if I bought someone's kitchen concoction.  (PS I recommend clicking on the photos to get a true sense of the grittiness I'm talking about. I find it rather curious...)

(edit: I should mention that I did see a mention by Christopher Yoke about Oak Gall from a year or so ago- at least a shed of light! But I am still at a loss here)

[FlowerCityLetters]

Oh interesting, could it be a combo of an iron gall walnut ink? I'm not sure, it does look pretty gritty. (The packaging charmed me too)

But you should definitely try Iron Gall! It's my favorite ink to write with. (My favorites are McCaffery's glossy black, red violet, and indigo). A Gillott 303 + iron gall ink will give you all the hairlines your heart desires haha. And the 303's are cheap so I don't feel bad about the iron gall eating them.

[Bianca M]

Raayynuh- weird, right??  I have actually tried McCaffrey's in the past (somehow lost my gloss black) and can't seem to get it through my head that it's iron gall based.  Mental block = "duh" moment.  I have my sight set on the Blots, and just need to get on it.  Maybe I'll get both!

As for this little bottle, I am guessing there's really nothing I can do with it. Phooey. 

[AndyT]

Bianca, if you're looking at Blots, may I quietly suggest that you also consider Walker's Copperplate Ink?  The reason being that supply is likely to be increasingly patchy, so if you find a supplier with some in stock it's worth grabbing a bottle now.  Blots is fantastic, don't get me wrong, but you might find that Walker's is fantasticker. 

[andy277]

Oh interesting, could it be a combo of an iron gall [and] walnut ink?

Pretty much. Walnut husks contain tannins (the active ingredient in oak galls), so when you mix it with iron you end up with soluble ferrous tannate, which oxidises to the non-soluble (and black) ferric tannate. just as in oak gall ink. But the husks also contain another compound, juglone, which becomes dark brown as it oxidises.

The grittiness of the ink is likely due to a build-up of ferric tennate, which you’ll see in iron gall ink too. You can leave it to settle, then decant the ink. Arnold’s Japan Ink, which was a favourite of the old pen masters, was apparently a heavily oxidised iron gall ink.

I’ve used Walker’s and McCaffrey’s iron gall inks, but for many years now I just make up my own ink using the US Government formula.  It's easy and simple, and it's cheap too.

[Bianca M]

AndyT, thanks for that! I will do some digging around to see if I can find some Walker's Copperplate!

Andy277 thank you for the explanation.  I'm rather curious about the formula you make... yet another thing to look into. 

[Marc]

I’ve used Walker’s and McCaffrey’s iron gall inks, but for many years now I just make up my own ink using the US Government formula.  It's easy and simple, and it's cheap too.

@andy277: Is this the formula you use?  https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iron_gall_ink#U.S._government_.22standard_ink.22_formula_.281935.29

Marc

[andy277]

Yes. that’s the one, but I’ve used several different formulae for making iron gall ink and I’ve honestly found no real practical difference between them. The advantage of using tannic acid instead of galls is that you know exactly how much you’re using.

[prasad]

Hi Bianca,
This could be exactly what Andy277 said. 
I made some inks at home and did this to my brown ink too.  But that was made from a different plant and not Walnuts.  Used catechu powder. But same effect as this.

Iron Gall ink is a must try if you want those hairlines.     And its quite easy to make at home too, I have made it many times. 

Chris Yoke also got his hands on some alleppo galls and is working on making ink in the traditional recipes. This was about 2 weeks ago. I think there should be some success and results there soon.  Keep an eye on his Instagram.

This is my Gall ink turning black.  I love this more than the hairlines. 



-Prasad

[elsa.d]

Andy277 - I would be interested to know where one purchases those ingredients.

[andy277]

See the other thread on iron gall inks, where I list where you can easily and cheaply acquire the ingredients.

[Bianca M]

Prasad, that is SO DANG COOL!  Thanks for sharing!